New to Macs

In article <ZCZKg.410$2J4.2@newsfe05.lga>,
"Raymond Gluck" <gluckr.TakeThisOut@charter.net> wrote:

> I've been a PC user since the 8086 came out. However, I know nothing about
> Macs. I was looking for a NG on Macs that might be able to help me.
>
> My son has become interested in making videos, inserting graphics and music,
> etc. This has sprung from a digital vid camera that arrived last Christmas.
>
> I'm looking for something relatively compact, rugged, and inexpensive to put
> in his room. Basic e-mail/web and video editing/graphics capability. Of
> course, must have USB and a network connection (wireless preferred). He
> doesn't have a lot of space on his desk.
>
> I was thinking about an iMac G3. They seem to be fill the bill.
>
> I have 3 questions.
>
> 1. Is the iMac a decent system for the intended purpose?
>
> 2. How freaked out am I going to be dealing with a Mac after all these
> years as far as loading patches, antivirus, etc.?
>
> 3. Does the iMac OS come with some basic graphics/video editing software?
>
> My e-mail address is: gluckr.TakeThisOut@charter.net.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ray

Get a new Mac. Any new one will do. Don't mess around with old ones.
Several reasons:

Fully supported, under warranty, telephone tech support, etc.
Excellent software installed that will do much (maybe all) of what your
son wants.
Excellent processing power, speed, etc.
The cost is reasonable.

You can save some by getting a Mac Mini, and use an existing
monitor/display with it. You will still need to get a USB keyboard &
mouse.

If you want portability, get a MacBook.

Otherwise, the iMac Intel will be superb.

If he goes pro on his movie making, he'll want to get a Mac Pro and
professional-grade software. That can come later.

No viruses, and none likely anytime soon. Don't need antivirus software.
If any real virus shows up that can actually infect Mac OS X, the world
will hear about it and you can deal with it then.

Software updates are pretty much automatic and painless once you have
internet hookup.

Macs come with all you need to make a high-speed connection to the
internet or a network, either wired or wireless. That means Ethernet
cable or standard wireless networking (Called Airport in mac parlance,
same protocol as wireless networking on a a PC), and easy, solid
networking setup built into the OS. The new Macs do not come with
telephone modems, but Apple sells a fairly inexpensive USB modem that
you can get if you do dial-up internet.

Go for it.

--
For email, change <fake> to <earthlink>
Bill Collins
 >> Stay informed about: New to Macs 

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On 2006-09-04 13:45:28 -0400, "Raymond Gluck" <gluckr RemoveThis @charter.net> said:

> I've been a PC user since the 8086 came out. However, I know nothing
> about Macs. I was looking for a NG on Macs that might be able to help
> me.
>
> My son has become interested in making videos, inserting graphics and
> music, etc. This has sprung from a digital vid camera that arrived
> last Christmas.
>
> I'm looking for something relatively compact, rugged, and inexpensive
> to put in his room. Basic e-mail/web and video editing/graphics
> capability. Of course, must have USB and a network connection
> (wireless preferred). He doesn't have a lot of space on his desk.
>
> I was thinking about an iMac G3. They seem to be fill the bill.
>
> I have 3 questions.
>
> 1. Is the iMac a decent system for the intended purpose?
>
> 2. How freaked out am I going to be dealing with a Mac after all these
> years as far as loading patches, antivirus, etc.?
>
> 3. Does the iMac OS come with some basic graphics/video editing software?
>
> My e-mail address is: gluckr RemoveThis @charter.net.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ray

macbook is the way to go. I have a macbook pro. It's the best thing
that ever happend to Apple. I have been using Mac's for a very long
time and this is the best mac I have ever sat behind.

Macbook just work. No patches, you don't have to worry about viruses,
and they are easy to use with a camera. The macbook comes with idvd
witch is really easy to use (and fun).

I just hope you camera isn't a DVD handycam. I have one of those, I
hates every computer and has a proprietary video format.
 >> Stay informed about: New to Macs